Phnom penh: H.E. Prof. Koy Vanny, Secretary of State at Cambodia's Ministry of Health, met with a delegation from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) on July 7 to discuss expanding collaboration in healthcare.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the ERIA delegation was led by Dr. Yasuyuki Mitsuhashi, Senior Policy Officer for Healthcare. The meeting focused on several key areas, including the ASEAN-Japan Medical Scholarship Programme. Discussions covered eligibility criteria, programme objectives, and how Cambodian medical students and professionals can leverage these scholarships to enhance their advanced medical knowledge and skills.
Both parties also explored how ERIA could support Cambodia in improving its healthcare system and long-term epidemic response frameworks. Future cooperation avenues were discussed, encompassing joint research, innovation development, and institutional capacity building within Cambodia's health sector.
H.E. Prof. Koy Vanny expressed gratitude to the Japanese people and ERIA for their ongoing contributions to Cambodia's healthcare development, specifically highlighting support for hospital services and human resource training. He emphasised that the partnership would bolster Cambodia's healthcare system and offer opportunities for health professionals to acquire up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Both sides voiced optimism that the scholarship programme would contribute to the sustainable development of Cambodia's health sector by improving advanced technical skills. Dr. Mitsuhashi thanked the Ministry of Health for its consistent support and guidance in healthcare development cooperation, particularly in human resource training. He reaffirmed ERIA's commitment to assisting Cambodia with healthcare system reform and effective long-term care mechanisms, including scholarships and technical assistance.
Discussions also included plans to formalise and expand cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ERIA and the Ministry of Health. This MoU would focus on further capacity building, infrastructure development, and knowledge sharing in healthcare specialties critical to Cambodia's needs. The meeting concluded with an agreement to advance cooperation plans and strengthen collaboration in the near future.